New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani marked Labor Day with a social media post crediting “democratic socialists” for organizing the first Labor Day parade in 1882, a claim that quickly drew pushback from critics questioning the historical accuracy of the statement.
“In 1882, 10,000 workers marched up Broadway in the first-ever Labor Day parade. Led by democratic socialists and organized by New York’s unions, they rallied the movement that went on to win us weekends, safety standards, overtime pay, a minimum wage, and social security,” Mamdani wrote.
“None of those victories were guaranteed. And none are permanent,” he continued, pointing to what he described as a “first-in-the-nation Office of Worker Power to put the full weight of City Hall behind the people who keep New York running.”
“On Labor Day, we honor the workers who came before us by fighting for the workers who come next,” the mayor added. “Happy Labor Day, New York. The future of worker power is ours to build.”
The post drew a wave of criticism online, much of it centered on the timeline of the Democratic Socialists of America. The organization, in its current form, was not established until 1982 — a full century after the 1882 march Mamdani referenced.
Social media users seized on that gap. “Democratic socialists? In 1882? And people think you’re brilliant? Your influencers are doing a great job with the taxpayer money you’re paying them with to LIE for you,” one commenter wrote. Another argued, “The difference is those people actually worked for what they received. They didn’t get handouts… nor did they ask for them.”
Other critics contrasted the 19th-century labor movement with contemporary democratic socialist politics, arguing the original marchers were not organizing around immigration policy in the way modern activists do. One reply simply read, “Making believe ‘Democratic Socialists’ had something to do with it. lol, nice one.”
Broader Attitudes on Socialism
The exchange comes amid polling showing a notable partisan split on views of socialism and capitalism. A CBS News/YouGov survey found 58 percent of Democrats hold a positive view of socialism, compared with 32 percent who view capitalism positively. The same poll found 18 percent of Democrats view socialism negatively, while 50 percent view capitalism negatively.
A separate survey from The Economist/YouGov found that more than a quarter of Americans believe most Democrats today identify as socialists.
